Marni Men’s, Jil Sander Men’s, Bottega Veneta: Men and Philipp Plein Men´s Spring/Summer16 fashion shows

If the shows we've seen so far at Milan menswear fashion week are anything to go by then Spring / Summer 2016 will be all about the statement jacket. Whether smart and dapper, rebellious or utilitarian, this will be the key piece that pulls your look together.

But practical doesn't have to mean boring -- as demonstrated by Jil Sander, whose show featured purist, subversive outerwear designs with an industrial edge. Dark-hued fabrics such as parachute nylons and coated canvas offered a dark, insurrectionary aesthetic, while the sharp tailoring meant that silhouettes were kept clean and minimalist. Zips, pockets and adjustable straps perfectly encapsulated the collection's self-proclaimed "Urban functionalism" and "off-kilter precision".

Meanwhile things were softer over at Bottega Veneta, where Creative Director Tomas Maier explained that the collection was inspired by "the fascination of a journey back to nature, when it is time for a spiritual rest." Combining sportswear with a refined simplicity, the jackets were lightweight, in saturated shades of green, blue, red, grey, and washed-out stone and mineral shades.

The sporty silhouette was also an influence at Marni, where the jackets were cut straight, falling lightly and fluidly, with some hemlines touching the mid-thigh length for an atypical look. Quirky details like deep, overall style pockets and large pale buttons added vitality to the sombre, classic color palette of navy blues and tans.

Philipp Plein, on the other hand, offered up a collection that was anything but sombre. His OTT hip-hop blowout featured studded two-tone leather blazers in black and cream, mixed with stylized sportswear such as silk padded bomber jackets in cherry red embellished all the way from cuff to shoulder. Leather was the main component here, with blacks, creams and reds providing the basis for the color palette, although there was also a metallic gold show stopper near the end of the show.